Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

13. Dallas Keuchel

Things could not have been going any better for 2015 AL Cy Young Dallas Keuchel through the first two months of the 2017 season. He was 9-0 on June 2 with a 1.67 ERA. His start on June 2 would be his last until well past the All-Star break due to a nerve condition around his neck and throwing shoulder — the same shoulder that affected his 2016 campaign.

Keuchel has not been the same since the injury. He has won only four of eight decision and has a 5.02 ERA while giving up a .261/.338/.415 line to his opponents. Keuchel has mixed in a few strong starts that point to his health problems being in the past, but has a 5.59 ERA in three starts prior to twirling six innings of one-run ball on Saturday against Seattle.

Keuchel’s struggles, along with the injuries that have held Lance McCullers back in the second half, forced the Houston Astros to part with a handful of their best prospects to acquire Justin Verlander who has looked sharp since the trade. Even with Verlander in the fold, the Astros need Keuchel pitching well to get past the Cleveland Indians and the rest of the American League. Keuchel’s fastball sits in the low 90s, and when he is not able to locate it, he gets hit hard. The Astros need him to get sharp before October.